Boys 98's, 99's are proving special for Washington

Washington ’98′s have had a very good 2012. (US ODP photo)

LACEY, Washington—Blackhills FC forward Bekele Dowty has been asked back to camp by the US U-14 nationals as honors to Washington state ’98 boys continue to stack up. 2012 has seen numerous players from this age group honored.

Bekele was in camp for the US in August, and also participated in ODP Regionals, where a slew of Washington players were honored as first or second team. Dowty is a ‘99 who played “up” for the OPD competition. See graphic below.

Nine of 22 spots on the first and second starting eleven’s were awarded to Washington state players, by far the most dominant showing by the state in any boys age group.

Bekele Dowty, Boys U14 Black with Blackhills FC, has been selected to the Boys U14 US National Team Camp in November 17 – 25 at the Home Depot Center. As a reader points out in the comments section below, Bekele is actually a ’99, thus the reason he was with the U-14′s.

Bekele also participated in the BU14 US Soccer selection camp in August.  ”We are proud of Bekele and wish Bekele every success as he plays at the highest level,” says the Blackhills FC website.

“”Bekele is a special soccer player who can change a game. He plays with a smile and is a tremendous role model for the players in the club,” says James Charette.

Crossfire Premier midfielder Crinan Dunbar and forward Chris Nicola were also selected for the US U-14 August camp.

On the other end of the pitch on defense for the ’98′s is Kees Westra.  (See goalWA feature on Kees here.) He’s joined on the first team defense by Henry Baldwin and goalkeeper Trevor Ervin. The first team midfield featured Washington’s Quentin Chi and Joseph Hafferty.

On the second team were Washington’s John Dale (MF), Tyler Black and Binod Sapkota (Forwards).

Here are the current rosters (state pools) of players in Washington Youth Soccer’s Elite Player Development (EPD) program which stocks the rosters for ODP competitions (Olympic Development Program).

Washington beat Cal North 2:0 in the ODP U-14 Region IV final back in January.

1998 was the “Year of the Tiger” in the Chinese Zodiac. “Born leader” is the key word for the Tigers. They are always in the lead and are most likely the ones to cry out “Let’s Go”! Noble and Fearless, Tigers are respected for their courage, even from those working against them.

Did we miss a ’98 name? Please post in the comments section.

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